THE National Assembly has launched one of the most ambitious constitutional amendment processes in recent history, unveiling a bill that seeks to devolve policing powers to Nigeria’s 36 states.
News Point Nigeria reports that the proposal, known as the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill 2025,” would replace the current centralised system with a dual structure: a Federal Police Service alongside State Police Services.
If passed, it would mark the first time since independence that Nigerian states are legally empowered to run their own police forces.
The bill proposes changes across fundamental rights, institutional structures, and funding frameworks.
Key highlights include: Fundamental Rights: Sections 34, 35, 39, and 42, which deal with dignity, liberty, expression, and non-discrimination, will replace references to the “Nigeria Police Force” with “Police or other Security Agencies established by law.”
Funding: Sections 81 and 121 will guarantee direct statutory transfers to both the Federal Police Service and newly created State Police Services.
Institutional Control: Sections 153–162 will establish a National Police Council and a Federal Police Service Commission at the centre, while Sections 197–202 will create parallel State Police Councils and Commissions with guaranteed independence.
Appointments: Section 215 will empower the President, subject to Senate confirmation, to appoint the Inspector-General of the Federal Police, while state governors, with legislative approval, will appoint Chiefs of State Police.
Repeal of Section 214: The long-standing constitutional clause prohibiting multiple police forces will be scrapped, opening the door for states to establish their own policing systems.
Concurrent List: Policing will be moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, enabling both federal and state legislatures to make security laws.
The explanatory memorandum states the bill’s objective is to create “a more responsive security system by devolving policing powers to states, while retaining federal oversight to prevent abuse and ensure adherence to democratic standards.”
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the amendment is unavoidable.
“It is provided in the constitution that there will be a unitary police, controlled by the federal government. If there is going to be state police, we have to amend those sections,” he explained.
He added that the demand for state police resonated strongly during zonal constitutional review hearings.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele backed the initiative, arguing that state police align with global best practices.
“Every community is asking for security. The current police system is not keeping up with realities. Local officers who understand their communities are better placed to tackle insecurity,” Bamidele said.
Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) urged caution, recommending a phased rollout beginning with community policing.
“We strongly desire state police, but it has to evolve. Let us start with community policing and build gradually,” he said.
But Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) opposed the move outright, warning that Nigeria’s shortage of officers makes decentralisation premature.
“We don’t have enough police officers—fewer than 400,000 for over 230 million people. Instead of creating state police, let’s first strengthen the federal force with numbers, training, and equipment,” Ndume argued.
At the state level, Adebo Ogundoyin, chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, pledged full support:
“The State Police Bill should be passed and sent to the states for approval. We are fully behind this initiative.”
The bill must pass two-thirds of the National Assembly and secure approval from at least 24 state assemblies before becoming law.
If successful, it would represent a landmark shift in Nigeria’s federal structure, decentralising policing powers for the first time in over six decades.